Course Offerings:

Research Program:

Current research in my lab focuses on the developmental effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), a class of organic xenobiotics that have been shown to contribute to human and other animal health risk through their carcinogenic, genotoxic and teratogenic effects. Our earlier studies have shown that PAHs, some of which are known to be potent environmental carcinogens, disrupt axis development in animal embryos via a β-catenin dependent molecular pathway (the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway). Using early embryos of sea urchins, we currently investigate:

2) the effects of PAHs on the activity of Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK)-3β (a crucial component of the Wnt pathway)and its ability to regulate cytosolic stability of β-catenin.

In addition, zebrafish (Danio rerio) early embryos are used to investigate the subcellular and molecular effects of PAHs on somite development (including muscle cell proliferation) and differentiation.

Interested undergraduates and prospective graduate students may contact me at pillai@sonoma.edu for more information about these research projects.